Senator George Maziarz (R-I-C, Newfane), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, expressed outrage and disbelief at the revelations from yesterday’s meeting of the Public Service Commission (PSC) suggesting that the commission has failed to properly monitor the collection of taxes from the onerous 18-a surcharge, allowing ratepayers to be overcharged by $250 million.

Today the Public Service Commission approved a joint proposal that includes a rate freeze for Western New York customers of the National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation starting immediately through September 30, 2015. The customer-friendly joint proposal also requires the utility to refund $5.5 million to customers and provide $2 million to fund home-weatherization projects and a furnace replacement program for low-income customers in the Buffalo region.

Senator George Maziarz, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, met this morning in his district office with Thurman Thomas, John Mariacher, and Stephen Lynch about some exciting solar energy projects in the works. The Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame running back has a real interest in helping people lower their bills and promoting renewable resources. We look forward to good things to come and great partnerships!